By Kisean Joseph
[email protected]
Allen Onyema, the founder and CEO of Nigerian airline Air Peace, is facing fresh legal challenges as the United States Attorney’s office has brought additional charges against him in a superseding indictment.
Onyema, along with Ejiroghene Eghagha, the airline’s Chief of Administration and Finance, are now accused of obstruction of justice in an alleged attempt to derail an ongoing investigation into bank fraud and money laundering.
The new charges extend the initial indictment filed on November 19, 2019, which accused Onyema and Eghagha of multiple counts of bank fraud, credit application fraud, and money laundering. The latest development alleges that the defendants submitted false documents to the government in a bid to end the investigation and unfreeze Onyema’s bank accounts.
US Attorney Ryan K Buchanan stated, “After allegedly using his airline company as a cover to commit fraud on the United States’ banking system, Onyema, along with his co-defendant, allegedly committed additional crimes of fraud in a failed attempt to derail the government’s investigation of his conduct.”
The case centers around a complex scheme that allegedly took place between 2010 and 2018, involving the transfer of over $44.9 million into Atlanta-based accounts from foreign sources. A key element of the alleged fraud involved the use of export letters of credit in May 2016 to transfer over $20 million, purportedly for financing the purchase of five Boeing 737 passenger planes for Air Peace.
In response to these allegations, Air Peace Limited has issued a press release addressing the concerns raised by the media reports. The airline emphasized that both Dr Onyema and Mrs Eghagha remain innocent, stating that these are “mere allegations, and the case is still in court.” The company expressed confidence that through due process, “the truth will be revealed, and our CEO and co-defendant will be exonerated.”
Air Peace assured the public that its legal team is fully engaged with the matter and working to ensure that justice prevails. The airline stressed that Dr Onyema and his legal team have consistently cooperated with authorities throughout this process.
Importantly, Air Peace stated that these legal proceedings would not negatively impact the high quality of service provided by the airline. “We want to reassure the public that these legal proceedings will not impact the safety, reliability, or day-to-day operations of Air Peace. The dedication and focus of our staff remain steadfast as we continue to provide you with the best aviation experience in Nigeria and beyond,” the statement read.
Air Peace concluded its statement by thanking customers and the flying public for their continued support and understanding, reaffirming their commitment to serving with excellence and integrity.
The case has potential implications beyond the individuals involved, as Onyema is reported to be the majority shareholder in LIAT20, holding a 75 percent stake in the regional carrier. He was expected to invest US$60 million in the airline, according to Prime Minister Gaston Browne.